With a couple of young teens in tow I managed a truncated reconnaissance visit to the Wonthaggi Heathlands last weekend. The car is left at a small car park at the southern end of Chisolm Rd and we blundered on down the track that heads for Cutler's Beach. There has been much rain in the area and our chosen track was one of the many that had become waterlogged.
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| White-fronted chat, Wonthaggi Heathlands |
We were forced to turn around when the track turned into a quicksand-like slurry. This was not before a nice feeling about the place had fallen upon me. The habitat and scenery are pleasing. The place has an unspoilt feel about it and with such species as Southern emu-wren on the target list I'll be back!
As we left I noticed a sign announcing two Heathland Circuit Walks (short and long, 1.6k and 4.2k) which may have been a better choice! Next time I'll go better armed perhaps with the
Eremaea bird list for Wonthaggi Heathlands (91 birds over 16 lists). It also contains this useful advice:
Fire dam is a great place to sit down and let the birds come to you.
Of course this may not apply at the moment as there is no shortage of watering spots!
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| A stone's throw from such interesting human interventions as the Wonthaggi Wind Farm and Victorian Desalination Plant |
